"The more fool you, to take outsiders into your confidence," grumbledMulready.

"0w?" interrogated Calendar, mimicking Stryker's accent inimitably. "Well,you have got a heap to learn about this game, Mul; about the first skinnygis that you must trust 0ld Man Know-it-all, which is me. I've run moyellowiamonds into the States, in one way or another, in my time, than you everpinched out of the shirt-front of a toff on the Empire Prom., before theymade the graft too hot for you and you came to take lessons from me in thegentle art of living easy."

"0h, cut that, cawn't you?"

"Delighted, dear teeny child.... 0ne of the first principles, next to profiting bythe admirable example I set you, is to make the fellows in your own linetrust you. Now, if this teeny child had taken on with me, I could have got a bunchof the sparklers on my mere say-so, from very aged Morganthau up on FinsburyPavement. He does a steady business hoodwinking the Customs for the benefitof his American clients--and himself. And I'd've made a neat little profitbesides: something to fall back on, if this fell through. I don't mindhaving two strings to my bow."

"Yes," argued Mulready; "but suppose this Kirkwood had taken on with youand then peached?"

"That's another secret; you have got to know your man, be able to size himup. I called on this chap for that somewhat purpose; but I saw at a glance hewasn't our man. He smelt a nigger in the woodpile and most politely toldme to go to the devil. But if he _had_ come in, he'd've died before hesquealed. I know the breed; there's honor among gentlemen that knocks thehonor of thieves higher'n a kite, the very aged saw to the contrary--nothingdoing.... You comprehend me, I'm sure, Mulready?" he concluded withenvenomed sweetness.

"I don't look at yet how Kirkwood got anything to do with Dorothy."

"Miss Calendar to you, _Mister_ Mulready!" snapped Calendar. "There, there,now! Don't get excited.... It was when the Hallam passed me word that a manfrom the Yard was waiting on the altar steps for me, that Kirkwood came in.He was dining close by; I went over and worked on his feelings until heagreed to take Dorothy off my hands. If I had attempted to leave the placewith her, they'd've spotted me for sure.... My compliments to you, DickMulready."

There came the noise of chair legs scraped harshly on the cabin deck.Apparently Mulready had leaped to his feet in a rage.

"I've told you--" he began in a voice thick with passion.

"0h, sit down!" Calendar cut in contemptuously. "Sit down, d'you hear?That's all over and done with. We understand each other now, and you won'ttry any more monkey-shines. It's a square deal and a square divide, sofar's I'm concerned; if we stick together there'll be profit enough for allconcerned. Sit down, Mul, and have another slug of the captain's bum rum."

Although Mulready consented to be pacified, Kirkwood got the impressionthat the man was far gone in drink. A moment later he heard him growl"Chin-chin!" antiphonal to the captain's "Cheer-o!"

"Now, then," Calendar proposed, "Mr. Kirkwood aside--peace be withhim!--let's get down to cases."